Edward Mujica, Bobby Parnell move in to set-up roles

May 17, 2012

Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek was the first man out of the pen on Thursday, and failed to get out of the 7th inning.  Ever since throwing 52 pitches in a 3-inning appearance earlier this month, Cishek has been shaky (3.2 innings, 2 ER, 7 hits).  Hierarchy change: Edward Mujica to Set-up, Steve Cishek to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/17/12

 
New York Mets – Three days ago, Jon Rauch was on the verge of being named the Mets new closer.  But after last night’s meltdown (0.1 innings, 3 ERs), Rauch’s ERA has jumped to 9.00 for the month of May.  Terry Collins will likely look to Bobby Parnell if Frank Francisco continues to falter.  Hierarchy change: Bobby Parnell to Set-up, Jon Rauch to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Parnell |Rauch |Francisco |5/17/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mike Adams, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan has pitched on back to back nights, and in three of the last four.
2. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez has pitched in four of the last five games, throwing 72 pitches in that span.

Rafael Soriano closing in New York; Jose Valverde day-to-day

May 16, 2012

Chicago White Sox – Hector Santiago pitched in the 9th inning on Tuesday when the White Sox were down 4 runs.  Though he’s supposedly part of a closer-by-committee in Chicago, Addison Reed and Matt Thornton both seem positioned to get more opportunities than the young lefty.  Hierarchy change: Matt Thornton to Set-up, Hector Santiago to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Santiago |Reed |5/16/12

 
Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde pitched to five hitters in the 9th inning on Tuesday before exiting with a sore back.  Octavio Dotel got a one-out save in his place, and Valverde said after the game that he was day-to-day.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Valverde |5/16/12

 
New York Yankees – David Robertson was placed on the 15-day DL with a left oblique strain.  Rafael Soriano will close until he returns.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to DL, Rafael Soriano to Closer, Cory Wade to Setup, Boone Logan to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Wade |Logan |Robertson |5/16/12 |Robertson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde tweaked his back in Tuesday’s game and is day-to-day.
2. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla has pitched in back-to-back games- throwing 41 pitches total- and in three of the last four.  The Giants could play match-ups in the 9th inning tonight.

David Robertson to DL, Rafael Soriano to closer

May 15, 2012

New York Yankees – David Robertson was placed on the 15 day DL with a left oblique strain.  Rafael Soriano will take over as closer with Robertson on the DL.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to DL, Rafael Soriano to Closer, Cory Wade to Setup, Boone Logan to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Wade |Logan |Robertson |5/15/12 |Robertson(DL) |

David Robertson ailing; Davey Johnson sticking with Henry Rodriguez

May 15, 2012

Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez walked three men in the 9th on Monday before being replaced by Sean Burnett, who got the save.  Davey Johnson told the Washington Post that he still had a lot of confidence in Rodriguez, though the closer remains firmly on the Hot Seat.  Burnett’s usage, meanwhile, has been a bit odd.  He’s been used sparingly, but has a 0.90 ERA and could be a candidate for saves down the line should Rodriguez continue to falter.  Hierarchy change: Sean Burnett to 2nd in line, replacing Ryan Mattheus.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Rodriguez |Clippard |Burnett |Storen |5/15/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
New York Yankees – Rafael Soriano picked up his 2nd save last night, as David Robertson revealed he has been dealing with a nagging injury since Friday.  The young closer doesn’t think it’s too serious, but he will undergo an MRI today.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Robertson |Soriano |Wade |Robertson |5/15/12

 
Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland returned from the DL over the weekend and resumed his 8th inning duties.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Set-up, Aaron Crow to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |5/15/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rafael Soriano, New York Yankees – With David Robertson ailing, the Yankees will look to Soriano for save opportunities.
2. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez has pitched in three straight, and in four of the last five.
3. Chad Qualls/Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathon Papelbon has pitched on three consecutive nights.
4. Hector Santiago/Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has thrown 50 pitches over the last two days.
5. Jon Rauch, New York Mets – Frank Francisco has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four, and the Mets could give the beleaguered closer the night off.

Frank Francisco’s job in limbo; Henry Rodriguez struggling

May 14, 2012

New York Mets – Frank Francisco blew another save on Sunday, allowing 3 runs without recording an out.  His ERA ballooned to 8.56, and Terry Collins was noncommittal about the Mets’ closer role going forward, saying he would discuss it before Monday’s game.  Even if Francisco keeps his job, he’ll remain firmly on the Hot Seat, but if Collins looks elsewhere, Jon Rauch should get the first chance.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |5/14/12

 
Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol was placed on the DL over the weekend, and on Sunday, Kerry Wood pitched the 8th inning in a 3-run game.  Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to DL, Kerry Wood to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Dolis |Russell |Wood |Marmol |5/14/12 |Marmol(DL) |

 
Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez blew his third save of the season in dramatic fashion on Sunday, allowing a walk-off grand slam to Joey Votto.  His ERA is now 4.70.  Henry Rodriguez to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Rodriguez |Clippard |Mattheus |Storen |5/14/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez threw 28 pitches in blowing the save yesterday, the second day in a row that he’s worked.  He could get the night off.